Hi guys I would like to thank people for their help with my last post as it helped a lot. I am developing an online soccer management game, and am aware I cant use real life player names and real life soccer team names without some kind of licencing. Anyone any ideas how I would go about this ? or who I could contact for help ? Anyone done this in the past with any luck ? I really didnt realise it would be such a minefield, as there are so many online games out there with the real team names and player names, that are clearly not licenced, are these people just takin a chance and hoping they dont get anyone taking legal action agains them ? I would like to point out this is going to be a free game, and no one will pay for it, does this make any difference ? Woc

Quote: Original post by usearchme
I am developing an online soccer management game, and am aware I cant use real life player names and real life soccer team names without some kind of licencing.

Anyone any ideas how I would go about this ? or who I could contact for help ?

You'd contact the particular soccer federation whose teams and players you're interested in licensing. You will not have any luck with anything under the FIFA umbrella (including MLS), as they are exclusively licensed to EA.

Quote: there are so many online games out there with the real team names and player names, that are clearly not licenced, are these people just takin a chance and hoping they dont get anyone taking legal action agains them ?

Yes. Whether trademark law applies to player names and stats is a tricky question (I believe there's ongoing litigation) but it certainly hasn't been resolved in the negative.

Quote: I would like to point out this is going to be a free game, and no one will pay for it, does this make any difference ?

No.

Hello Use Arch, you wrote:
>I am developing an online soccer management game, and am aware I cant use real life player names and real life soccer team names without some kind of licencing.
>Anyone any ideas how I would go about this ?

You either contact the owners of those leagues and teams, or hire an agent to negotiate a license for you.

>or who I could contact for help ?

A licensing agent is your best bet.

>Anyone done this in the past with any luck ?

Yes, numerous people have done this in the past.

>there are so many online games out there with the real team names and player names, that are clearly not licenced, are these people just takin a chance and hoping they dont get anyone taking legal action agains them ?

What do you care? Seriously. Just because that other guy is getting away with running a red light, doesn't mean you should.

>I would like to point out this is going to be a free game, and no one will pay for it, does this make any difference ?

Yes. It means you can't afford to get a license, and you should not use any real names in your game. Make up names instead.